TECHdotMN: News about Minnesota Startups

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Via News Release

“Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 30, 2011–W3i, a leader in monetization and user acquisition services for mobile apps, announced today the launch of the $10 Million AppX Game Developer Marketing Fund.  The goal of the marketing fund is to accelerate user growth for up-and- coming mobile social game developers by aiding in their user acquisition financing.

iOS and Android game developers’ goal is to drive user acquisition of mobile games accelerating the growth of active users. This fund reinforces W3i’s commitment to iOS and Android game developers to help them compete with AAA competitors thus accelerating their path to profitability.”

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Via News Release

“W3i, a leading network for app distribution and monetization for personal computers and mobile devices, announces the following promotions:

• Jeff Bollinger was promoted to Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President.

• Lisa Nistler was promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

• Ryan Ranweiler was promoted to Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President.

• Ryan Weber was promoted to Senior Vice President of Product Management and Co-Founder.

• Rob Weber was promoted to Senior Vice President and Co-Founder.  Rob Weber co-founded W3i in 2000 and leads business development for mobile.”

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By Sarah Perez, TechCrunch

“Monetization and distribution network for app developers, W3i, is today announcing a program specifically for iOS Game Developers. The new service, now in beta, is simply being called “Games Platform,” the company says. And its goal will be to solve the challenges facing game developers such as server set-up, maintenance, security, storefronts and analytics.”

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Via News Release

“Minneapolis, Minn. - W3i, a leading network for app distribution and monetization, announces the launch of a new platform that provides new revenue streams and distribution methods for app developers. The W3i Mobile App Ad Network (MAAP) is now accepting beta partners.

Responding to developers seeking new revenue streams and methods of acquiring users, the W3i MAAP merges the traditional model of display advertising with the high conversion power of daily app deals.  In market testing, W3i found that consumers presented with a daily app offer converted at a much higher rate than just a mobile display ad.”

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It’s time again for us to take a moment to recognize those who support the TECHdotMN mission and simultaneously provide technology resources for under-privileged youth in the Twin Cities.  Thank you Sponsors!

Primary Sponsors:

Entrepreneurial Law Firm  Gray Plant Mooty (Returning)

Student Employer & Staff Augmenter Maverick Software Consulting (R)

Custom Software Developer MentorMate (R)

World Class Backup Provider Code 42 Software (New)

Secondary Sponsors:

Web & Mobile Developers Bust Out Solutions (R)

Application Investor & Distributor W3i (R)

Talent Acquisition Specialist Andcor (R)

Capital Markets Intelligence Servicer DealPen (N)

Other Sponsors:

Commercial Real Estate SaaS MinuteBids (N) (Directory)

Coworking, Collaborative and Event Space CoCo MSP (N) (Calendar)

It’s time again for us to take a moment to recognize those who support the TECHdotMN mission and simultaneously provide technology resources for under-privileged youth in the Twin Cities.  Thank you Sponsors!

Entrepreneurial Law Firm  Gray Plant Mooty (Returning)

Student Employer & Staff Augmenter Maverick Software Consulting (R)

Custom Software Developer MentorMate (New)

Technology Investment firm Lateral Capital (N)

Web & Mobile Developers Bust Out Solutions (R)

Application Investor & Distributor W3i (R)

IT Workforce Development Nonprofit Advance IT Minnesota (R)

Talent Acquisition Specialist Andcor (R)




**Contact us for information about how to become a TECHdotMN sponsor**

Via News Release

“W3i, a leading distribution and monetization network for app developers, announces its mobile social game investment subsidiary, Recharge Studios, completes a successful inaugural first quarter investing in twelve mobile social game titles.

Three months after launch, Recharge Studios has a dozen titles either in production or released including Dolphin Play and Daybreak Heroes, both titles already achieved top 25 overall rankings in the U.S. App Store.  Dolphin Play has been downloaded more than 1 million times.

At GDC in March, SkyVu Pictures announced a partnership with Recharge Studios on its next title: BATTLE BEARS ROYALE. SkyVu Pictures recently passed more than 10 million downloads including 8 million for the wildly successful BATTLE BEARS franchise.”

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This past November, Sartell-based W3i simultaneously launched a mobile gaming studio while setting aside $1m to invest specifically in iOS mobile gaming startups.

Since the original announcement, we’ve since learned that Veiled Games (the team behind Daybreak Heroes) is the first beneficiary of the niche fund, as well as mobile veteran Matt Tubergen’s new lead as product manager.

Following is an interview with Matt about all things Recharge Studios.

Jeff Pesek (JP): Greetings Matt, congratulations on your new position, and thank you for the time.

Matt Tubergen (MT): Thank you Jeff, nice to chat.

JP: Let’s jump to it…what is your background and experience in the mobile space?

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Via News Release

“Facebook’s 500 million plus users can now stay connected to their friends online, on-the-go and on their desktop with W3i’s newest desktop app, FlipToast.

FlipToast emerges from beta testing with more than 120,000 users and connects users to their real-time Facebook feed without logging in to the Facebook website. Gamers use the app to stay engaged with their network while not interrupting their gameplay. FlipToast’s Drag-n-Drop photo upload makes sharing photos with your network a snap, as easy as drag and drop.”

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